Jib sheet apparatus for sailboats

ABSTRACT

A jib sheet apparatus for a sailboat that includes a pair of cleat-block units mounted on opposite sides of the sailboat. Each cleat-block unit is tiltably resiliently supported above its mounting point on the boat. A jib sheet has its opposite ends dead-ended on the cleat-block units, with the bight portions of the jib sheet travelling through such units and being releasably secured to such units by the cleat member thereof.

[ 1 July 25, 1972 United States Patent Alter [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS [54] JIB SHEET APPARATUS FOR SAILBOATS Roberts et...1 14/218 UX [72] Inventor: Hobart L. Alter, Capistrano Beach, Calif.

2,978,217 4/1961 Gunderson....................,....248/160X [73]Assignee: Coast Catamaran Corporation, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

Feb. 16, 1971 Primary ExaminerTrygve M. Blix Arwrne vFu1wider, Patton.Rieber, Lee & Utecht [22] Filed:

[57] ABSTRACT A jib sheet apparatus for a sailboat that includes a pairof cleat-block units mounted on opposite sides of the sailboat. Eachcleat-block unit is tiltably resiliently supported above its Appl. No.:

[52] US. Cl. 14/102, 24/134 CP, 114/218 mounting point on the boat. Ajib sheet has its opposite ends dead-ended on the cleat-block units,with the bight portions of the jib sheet travelling through such unitsand being releasably secured to such units by the cleat member thereof.

2 N0 1 %.l w 4 0 W 1 b2 3.. 6] BH 4 [51] lnt.Cl. [58]FieldolSearch...........1......

24/134 P, 134 CP;248/51, 160

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Patented Jul 25, 1972 BEST AVAILABLE COPY3,678,876

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A W F INVENTOR. Harmer L. A 75:? BY m M J J g5 MMflrmexvsys Patented July 25, 1972 358? AVAILABLE COPY 3,678,876

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Hos/927 L #4 TEE JIB SHEET APPARATUS FORSAILBOATS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thepresent invention relates generally to the art of sailing and moreparticularly to improve jib sheet apparatus for sailboats.

2. Description of the Prior Art Known jib sheet block arrangements forsmall sailboats, and particularly catamarans, are cluttered, complex andgenerally inadequate to withstand the heavy loads applied by a jib sheetin heavy winds. Additionally, it is difficult to secure and release thejib sheet when making a tack. This is especially true when the crewmanhandling the jib sheet is riding in a trapeze.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a major object of the present inventionto provide a jib sheet apparatus for sailboats which is of compact yetrugged construction and which permits the jib sheet to lead at theproper angle during all conditions of sailing, and additionally makes itsimple to secure and release such jib sheet as during a tack.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, when taken inconjunction with the appended drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing apreferred form of a jib sheet apparatus embodying the present inventionwith the jib sheet appearing in a released position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the jib sheet in asecured position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a cleat-block unit of said jibsheet apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of said jib sheet block apparatus embodyingthe present invention mounted on a Catamaran sailboat; and

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are top plan views of said sailboat showing theoperation of said jib sheet block apparatus during a tack.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, apreferred form of jib sheet apparatus embodying the present invention isshown mounted on a conventional catamaran sailboat S. Such apparatusincludes a pair of like cleat-block units C-1 and C-2 carried on a pairof traveler tracks 10 and 12 mounted on opposite sides of the frontcross-piece of the catamaran S. A continuous rope jib sheet 14 extendsbetween the cleat-block units C-1 and C-2 and a pair of conventionalblocks 16 and 18 carried by the clew of jib said 20 of catamaran S.

Each cleat-block units includes a bifurcated housing, generallydesignated 30, having a pair of side walls 32 and 34, with the upperportion of such side walls extending generally upwardly and rearwardlyrelative to the lower portion of such side walls. The upper end of eachside wall is intregally formed with generally horizontal extending ear36 and 38 respectively. A generally U-shaped bracket 40 is secured tothe outer surfaces of the lower portion of the housing side walls 32 and34 rivets 42. A horizontal pivot pin 44 extends through the upper endsof bracket 40 and the mid-portion of the housing side walls to rotatablysupport a sheave 46. A horizontally extending pin 48 extends across theupper portion of the housing side walls between aligned bores formed insuch walls to define an anchor for the dead ends of the jib sheet 14.

A conventional cam cleat, generally designated 50, is rigidly affixed tothe underside of the afore-described ears 36 and 38 by a pair of boltand nut assemblies 52 and 54. The cam cleat 50 includes a pair of likejaws 56 and 58 provided with opposed teeth 60 that releasably grip thebight portion of the jib sheet 14, such jaws being spring-loaded towardsone another.

A generally U-shaped jib sheet guide 62 is affixed to the lower end ofthe bolt and nut assemblies 52 and 54 and the bight portion of the jibsheet 14 extends therethrough.

The cam cleat units 01 and C-2 are supported above a pair of like,conventional deck mounts such as cars 66 and 68. Cars 66 and 68 areslidably carried by a pair of traveler tracks 70 and 72 secured to theopposite sides of the front cross-piece 74 of catamaran S. Tracks 70 and72 are formed with a plurality of adjustment bores 76 that selectivelyreceive a springloaded stop 78 carried by each of the cars. Cam cleatunits C-1 and G2 are each resiliently supported above their cars bymeans of a coil spring 80 having its lower and upper ends seated upon apair of vertically aligned cups 82 and 84, as shown particularly in FIG.3. The upper cup 82 is provided with a depending eye 86 which movablyinterlocks with a complementary upstanding eye 88 having its lower endaffixed to the lower cup 84. Eyes 86 and 88 transfer tension from thecleat-blocks to their respective cars. The upper cup 82 is pivotallyattached to the web of the bracket 40 by means of an upward extension ofthe eye 86 so that housing 30 may freely swivel relative to itsrespective car about a vertical axis. The lower cup 84 is rigidlyaffixed to the end of car 66 opposite stop 78 by peening over the lowerends of such eye in complementary bores 90 formed in car 66. With thisarrangement, each housing 30 is tiltably resiliently supported in agenerally vertical position.

As indicated particularly in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, one end of jib sheet 14is dead-ended to the anchor pin 48 of cam cleat unit C-l. From thispoint the jib sheet extends upwardly and forwardly through block 16secured to a ring 92 attached to the clew of jib sail 20. The jib sheet14 then extends downwardly and rearwardly through sheave 46 of cam cleatunit C-1 and then across the trampoline 94 of catamaran S and throughthe rear end of the other cam cleat unit C-2. From cam cleat C-2 the jibsheet then extends forwardly and upwardly through the block 18 securedto ring 92 of the clew of jib sail 20. Finally, the jib sheet extendsfrom block 18 to the anchor pin 46 of cleat-block unit C-2.

In the operation of the afore-described jib sheet apparatus, the cars 66and 68 will be set at the desired lateral adjustment relative to theirtraveler tracks 10 and 12 by means of stops 78. Referring now to FIG. 6,assuming the catamaran S is innitially sailing on a port tack. the portlead of the jib sheet 14 will be free relative to the cam cleat of portcleat-block unit C- 2, while the starboard lead of the jib sheet will besecured in its desired position by engagement with the jaws of the camcleat of the starboard cleat-block unit C-2.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the catamaran S is shown traveling through theeye of the wind as it changes course from a port tack to a starboardtack. During such change in heading, the helmsman and the crewman 102will move across the trampoline from the port side thereof to thestarboard side thereof. It should be noted that inasmuch as the jibsheet 14 defines a complete loop, the bight portion thereof aft of thecleat-block units may be continuously held by the crewman 102 as hechanges positions from one side of the boat to the other, his handssliding over the jib sheet. Immediately before beginning his movementacross the trampoline from the port side thereof to the starboard sidethereof, the crewman may release the jib sheet from the cleat-block unitC-l. Alternatively, he may delay such release until the boat has startedto tack so as to momentarily back-wind the jib and thereby assist inbringing the boat about.

Upon reaching the opposite or starboard side of the trampoline thecrewman 102 may immediately secure the jib sheet at the desired pointfor obtaining the proper angle of the jib 20, as indicated in FIG. 8,the boat S in this figure being shown after it has completed the tack.It should be further noted that the yieldably tiltable and swivellingmounting of the cleatblock units permit them to swivel and lean at theexact angle required by the position of the clew of the jib relative tosuch cleat block units.

It should be particularly noted that the aforedescribed jib sheetapparatus is particularly useful where the sailboat is provided with atrapeze for crewman 102 because'the jib sheet" can be readily releasedand resecured relative to the cleatblock units even while the crewman ishanging from the trapeze. It should also be noted that the housings 30may be formed with a plurality of aligned bores 48a and 48b toselectively receive the ends of pin 48 to thereby vary the angle assumedby the cleatblock units. Additionally, wedges (not shown) may beinterposed between ears 36 and 38 and their respective cam cleats 50 toaccomplish the same purpose.

Various modifications and changes may be made with respect to theforegoing detailed description without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention.

Iclaim:

1. Jib sheet apparatus for controlling the jib sail of a sailboat,comprising:

a pair of like cleat-block units, each including a housing that carriesa sheave and a cam cleat;

deck mount means on said sailboat for each of said cleatblock units;

a jib sheet extending through said housing and the sheave and cam cleatsthereof; and

connection means interposed between each of said housings and itsrespective deck mount means that tiltably resiliently support each saidhousing in a generally vertically extending position to receive said jibsheet while permitting said housing to swivel about a vertical axisunder the influence of said jib sheet.

2. Jib sheet apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said apparatusincludes a pair of traveler tracks secured to opposite sides of saidsailboats, and said deck mount means includes a pair of cars adjustablyslidably carried by a respective traveler track.

3. Jib sheet apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of saidconnection means includes upper and lower spring support elements, aspring interposed therebetween, a rigid connection between said lowerspring support element, and a swivel connection between said upperspring support element and its respective housing.

4. Jib sheet apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said apparatusfurther includes block means on the clew of said jib sail, and saidcleat-block units are each provided with an anchor pin that receives thedead-ends of said jib sheet, with said jib sheets extending from saidanchor pins through said 5. Jib sheet apparatus as set forth in claim 2wherein each of said connection means includes upper and lower springsupport elements, a spring interposed therebetween, a rigid con nectionbetween said lower spring support element, and a swivel connectionbetween said upper spring support element and its respective housing.

6. Jib sheet apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said apparatusfurther includes block means on the clew of said jib sail, and saidcleat-block units are each provided with an anchor pin that receive thedead-ends of said jib sheet, with said jib sheets extending from saidanchor pins through said block means and then back through the sheavesand cam cleats of said cleat-block units.

7. Jib sheet apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said apparatusfurther includes block means on the clew of said jib sail, and saidcleat-block units are each provided with an anchor pin that receive thedead-ends of said jib sheet, with said jib sheets extending from saidanchor pins through said block means and then back through the sheavesand cam cleats of said cleat-block units.

8. Jib sheet apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said springsupport elements are cups, said spring is of the coil type having itsupper and lower ends seated in said cups, and said cups are providedwith interlocked eyes to transfer tension between said cups whilepermitting relative tilting therebetween.

9. Jib sheet apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said apparatusincludes a pair of traveler tracks secured to opposite sides of saidsailboat, and said deck mount means includes a pair of cars adjustablyslidably carried by a respective traveler track.

10. Jib sheet apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said apparatusfurther includes block means on the clew of said jib sail, and saidcleat-block units are each provided with an anchor pin that receive thedead-ends of said jib sheet, with said jib sheets extending from saidanchor pins through said block means and then back through the sheavesand cam cleats of said cleat-block units.

1. Jib sheet apparatus for controlling the jib sail of a sailboat,comprising: a pair of like cleat-block units, each including a housingthat carries a sheave and a cam cleat; deck mount means on said sailboatfor each of said cleat-block units; a jib sheet extending through saidhousing and the sheave and cam cleats thereof; and connection meansinterposed between each of said housings and its respective deck mountmeans that tiltably resiliently support each said housing in a generallyvertically extending position to receive said jib sheet while permittingsaid housing to swivel about a vertical axis under the influence of saidjib sheet.
 2. Jib sheet apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidapparatus includes a pair of traveler tracks secured to opposite sidesof said sailboats, and said deck mount means includes a pair of carsadjustably slidably carried by a respective traveler track.
 3. Jib sheetapparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said connection meansincludes upper and lower spring support elements, a spring interposedtherebetween, a rigid connection between said lower spring supportelement, and a swivel connection between said upper spring supportelement and its respective housing.
 4. Jib sheet apparatus as set forthin claim 1 wherein said apparatus further includes block means on theclew of said jib sail, and said cleat-block units are each provided withan anchor pin that receives the dead-ends of said jib sheet, with saidjib sheets extending from said anchor pins through said block means andthen back through the sheaves and cam cleats of said cleat-block units.5. Jib sheet apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of saidconnection means includes upper and lower spring support elements, aspring interposed therebetween, a rigid connection between said lowerspring support element, and a swivel connection between said upperspring support element and its respective housing.
 6. Jib sheetapparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said apparatus furtherincludes block means on the clew of said jib sail, and said cleat-blockunits are each provided with an anchor pin that receive the dead-ends ofsaid jib sheet, with said jib sheets exteNding from said anchor pinsthrough said block means and then back through the sheaves and camcleats of said cleat-block units.
 7. Jib sheet apparatus as set forth inclaim 3 wherein said apparatus further includes block means on the clewof said jib sail, and said cleat-block units are each provided with ananchor pin that receive the dead-ends of said jib sheet, with said jibsheets extending from said anchor pins through said block means and thenback through the sheaves and cam cleats of said cleat-block units. 8.Jib sheet apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said spring supportelements are cups, said spring is of the coil type having its upper andlower ends seated in said cups, and said cups are provided withinterlocked eyes to transfer tension between said cups while permittingrelative tilting therebetween.
 9. Jib sheet apparatus as set forth inclaim 8 wherein said apparatus includes a pair of traveler trackssecured to opposite sides of said sailboat, and said deck mount meansincludes a pair of cars adjustably slidably carried by a respectivetraveler track.
 10. Jib sheet apparatus as set forth in claim 9 whereinsaid apparatus further includes block means on the clew of said jibsail, and said cleat-block units are each provided with an anchor pinthat receive the dead-ends of said jib sheet, with said jib sheetsextending from said anchor pins through said block means and then backthrough the sheaves and cam cleats of said cleat-block units.